Sprinkler apparatus

ABSTRACT

Sprinkler apparatus is disclosed for distributing fluid in a spray pattern in a complete circle, or any selected segment thereof through utilization of an upright conduit and a movable cap means such that a circumferential row of apertures may be progressively covered or uncovered by movement of the cap means.

United States Patent 1191 Floyd June 11, 1974 1 SPRINKLER APPARATUS1,931,761 10/1933 Hertel 239 010. 1 2,571,763 10/1951 Robbins 239/D1G. I[75] Invemor: Malmlm FlWd, Fort Worth 2.594.243 4/1952 Winkler 239/56373] Assignee; Robert Fdsman, Fort worth, 2,650,132 8/1953 Rei ncoke239/562 Tex a part interest 3,724,760 4/1973 Smlth 239/564 [22] Filed:197.3 Primary ExaminerL10yd L. King [21] Appl. No.: 321,346 Attorney,Agennor Firm-Wofford, Felsman & Faks [52] US. Cl 239/563, 239/D1G. 1,239/286 [57] ABSTRACT 51 lt.Cl 7 1 g of Search 239/286 DIG 3 2? Sprmklerapparatus 1s d1sc1osed for d1str1but1ng fluld 2319/56; in a spraypattern in a complete circle, or any selected segment thereof throughutilization of an upright con- [56] References Cited duit and a movablecap means such that a circumferential row of apertures may beprogressively covered UNITED STATES PATENTS or uncovered by movement ofthe cap means.

49,310 8/1865 Seiberlick 239/563 7/1874 Bristol 239/563 10 Claims, 5Drawing Figures SPRINKLER APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Fieldof the Invention The invention relates in general to sprinklerapparatus, particularly to apparatus especially suitable for use as alawn sprinkler in which the pattern of the spray may be selectivelyvaried.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art sprinkler apparatus may bedivided into two broad classifications: (a) Those having apredetermined, unalterable pattern and (b) those in which the spraypattern may be altered.

Relative to those sprinklers having alterable spray patterns, it isadvantageous to have a lawn sprinkler with a spray pattern that coversan area defined by a periphery that encompassed 360, or alternatively,one that may be used to spray any segment of 360. Such an apparatusenables sprinkling along a 180 line that may be defined by a curbwithout wasting water in the street. Also, such an apparatus enables thespraying of water over a 90 pattern, as between a driveway and a curb,or over a 270, as around the corner of the house, for example, or aroundany other angle between and 260.

Previously known apparatus for accomplishing such results havesignificant disadvantages. That apparatus sold under the trademark RainBird utilizes a number of parts that cause the spray nozzle to sweep theselected number of degrees and then return the sprinkler to the originalsetting. The complexity introduced by having a number of moving partsleads to occassional unreliability and maintenance expense.

Sprinklers of the type that may be used to water different patterns on alawn are shown for example in US. Pat. Nos. 671,958; 2,790,680; and3,985,38l, to mention but a few. Apparatus of these types, and allothers with which I am familiar, cannot be utilized to sweep any patternfrom 0 to 360 in the advantageous reliable and maintenance free mannerof my invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention may be summarized as sprinklerapparatus that includes a base to support a conduit extending upwardlyfrom the base. A movable means is connected with the conduit forprogressively covering or uncovering circumferential apertures toselectively vary the spray pattern. If none of the apertures arecovered, the spray pattern encompasses 360. Progressive movement of themovable means covers first one and then others of the apertures suchthat the spray pattern encompasses segments of the original 360 area.Thus, the spray pattern may be varied from 360 to 0 in the preferredform of the invention. The preferred means for accomplishing theprogressive covering or uncovering of the apertures includes a movableor a cap means carried by the conduit, with either the conduit or capmeans having at least one row of circumferential aper tures and theother having an obliquely truncated portion adapted to cover first oneand then progressively all the apertures to define the selected spraypattern. In perhaps its simplist form the conduit is an obliquelytruncated right circular cylinder with threads on one portion thereof,and a cap means is threaded to fit over the conduit means and includesat least one row of circumferential apertures that are progressivelycovered or uncovered by the end. portion of the conduit as the cap isscrewed or unscrewed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thesprinkler apparatus embodying the principles of my invention, with themovable or cap means removed but positioned for assembly on the uprightconduit;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal, sectional view of the sprinklerapparatus of FIG. 1, showing the cap means assembled on the conduit;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of an alternateform of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of yet anotheralternate form of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view as seen looking along the lines VV ofFIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The numeral 11 in the drawingdesignates a base having a conduit means 13 that in this instanceincludes a body with an L-shaped portion 15 having a passageway threadedas indicated by the numeral 17 to receive one end of a garden hose orthe like. The body further includes an upstanding portion 19, secured bysuitable means such as the threads 21 to the L-shaped portion 15, andfurther includes another threaded portion23, preferably in a mid-regionthereof. The upper end'25 of the threaded conduit is truncated in thisinstance to define an obliquely truncated right circular tubularcylinder, there being also a passageway 27 that communicates with thepassageway in the L-shaped portion 15.

A movable cap means 29, threaded as indicated by the numeral 31 in FIG.2, has an interior surface 33 adapted to closely fit over the exteriorsurface of the upstanding portion 19 of the body 15. Further, thethreads 31 are adapted to mate with the threaded portion 23 of theupstanding portion 19. In addition, the cap means has a continuouscircumferential row of apertures 35 which in this instance are formed ina horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cap 29and also the upstanding conduit portion 19. Further, there may be anenlarged knurled protrusion 37 on the exterior of the cap means 29 forease of gripping.

In operation, the threaded portion 17 of the L-shaped portion 15 issecured to a garden hose, and the cap means 29 rotated to engage itsthreads 31 with the threads 23 of the upstanding portion 19. Then thewater supply is turned on to urge water into the body 13 and inside thecap 29. The close fit (preferably not over 0.001 inch) between theengaging interior surfaces of the cap 29 and the exterior surfaces ofthe upstanding portion 19 of the body prevents any substantial flow offluid except through the apertures uncovered from the truncated upperend 25. Further, leakage past threads 23, 31 is minimized. Hence,substantially all the water is urged through the apertures in row 35.With the cap means shown in the position in FIG. 2 water is forced underpressure through all the apertures to define an essentially 360 spraypattern. Rotation of the cap clockwise as seen in FIG. 1 moves the rowof apertures progressively over the truncated end 25 of the upstandingportion 19 of the body. Thus, initially one and progressively increasingnumbers of apertures are covered such that the spray pattern decreasestoward Alternate forms of the invention are shown in H68. 3 and 4. Thecap 41 in F IG. 3 is threaded at 43 to engage the threads 45 of theupstanding conduit 47. A circumferential row ,of apertures 49 extendthrough the upstanding conduit 47, being adapted for progressive openingor closure by movement of an insert 51 having an obliquely truncatedcylindrical end 53. The insert is moved downward through engagement ofthe opposite end 55 with the top of the cap, which engagement may beassured by the pressure of the fluid in the conduit 47 or by attachmentof the end 55 with the top of the cap. FIG. shows in cross section aspline and splineway 56 that may be used in the FIG. 4 embodiment toprevent rotation of insert 51 such that the spray pattern does notaccidentally rotate after placement of the sprinkler and establishmentand location of a particular spray pattern.

In FIG. 4 the cap or movable means 57 has an obliquely truncated lowerend portion 59 and threads (not shown) to engage the threads 61 of theconduit 63 and progressively cover or uncover the apertures ofcircumferential row 65. An O-ring 67 may be used to minimize fluid flowexcept through the apertures.

While I have shown the invention in only a few of its many possibleforms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is notso limited but is susceptible to various changes andmodificationswithout departing from the spirit thereof.

lclaim: I

l. Sprinkler apparatus comprising:

a base;

a conduit means extending upwardly from the base for the passage offluid, said conduit including circumferential extending apertures in asubstantially continuous row in the conduit periphery to distributewater outwardly in a spray pattern around the conduit means;

movable means connected with the conduit means for progressivelycovering upon movement differing apertures to selectively vary the spraypattern.

2. Sprinkler apparatus comprising:

a base;

aconduit means extending upwardly for the passage of fluids;

a cap means carried by the conduit means for axial movement thereon;

a selected one of said conduit means and the cap means having a row ofcircumferential apertures and the other of said means having anobliquely truncated end portion for progressively covering saidapertures.

3. Lawn sprinkler apparatus comprising:

a base;

a body carried by the base and including a passageway, for connectingthe base to a fluid supply, and a tubular conduit extending generallyupward from the base to an obliquely truncated termination;

a cap means covering the truncated termination of the tubular conduitand including a row of apertures that are progressively covered oruncovered by axial movementof the cap means toward or away from the basemeans.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the tubular conduit and cap meanshave engaging threaded portions to enable axial movement of the capmeans such that the truncated termination of the tubular conduitprogressively covers or uncovers said apertures.

5. Sprinkler apparatus-comprising:

a base;

a body carried by the base and including a fluid passageway thatterminates in an obliquely truncated right circular cylinder;

a cap means covering thetruncatedtermination of the right circularcylinder and including means that are successively covered or uncoveredby progressive movement of the cap means.

,6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tubular conduit and cap meanshaving engaging threadedportions 5 to enable axial movement of the capmeans such that the truncated termination of the tubular conduitprogressively covers or uncovers said apertures.

7. Sprinkler apparatus comprising:

a base;

said base including a coupler for connection with a fluid supply;

a conduit extending upwardly from the base for the passage of fluid;

means carried by the conduit for progressive and selected axial movementthereon;

a row of apertures formed in a selected one of the conduits and saidmeans;

obliquely truncated cut-off means associated with the other of theselected conduit and'means to open or progressively close the aperturesof said row.

8. Sprinkler apparatus comprising:

a base;

said base including a coupler for connection with a fluid supply;

a tubular conduit extending upwardly from the base and coupler, andterminating with an obliquely truncated end; I

a cap means having walls secured to the exterior of the tubular conduitby threads;

a circumferential row of apertures extending through the walls of thecap means whereby movement of the cap means on said threadsprogressively covers or uncovers with the truncated end of the conduitthe apertures of said row. I

9. Sprinkler apparatus comprising:

a base;

said base including a coupler for connection with a fluid supply;

a tubular conduit extending upwardly from the base and said coupler; I

a circumferential row of apertures and a row of threads formed on saidconduit;

a threaded cap means secured to the threads of the tubular conduit, andhaving an obliquely truncated end to progressively cover or uncover theapertures of said row.

10. Sprinkler apparatus comprising:

a base;

said base including a coupler for connection with a fluid supply;

a tubular conduit extending upwardly from the base and coupler,terminating with an obliquely truncated end, and including acircumferential row of radial apertures;

a cap means having walls secured to the exterior of the tubular conduitby threads;

a threaded cap means secured to the threads of the cover and uncover theapertures of said row retubular conduit; sponsive to movement of the capmeans on said a plug having one end adapted to engage the cap threads.

means and the other truncated to progressively

1. Sprinkler apparatus comprising: a base; a conduit means extendingupwardly from the base for the passage of fluid, said conduit includingcircumferential extending apertures in a substantially continuous row inthe conduit periphery to distribute water outwardly in a spray patternaround the conduit means; movable means connected with the conduit meansfor progressively covering upon movement differing apertures toselectively vary the spray pattern.
 2. Sprinkler apparatus comprising: abase; a conduit means extending upwardly for the passage of fluids; acap means carried by the conduit means for axial movement thereon; aselected one of said conduit means and the cap means having a row ofcircumferential apertures and the other of said means having anobliquely truncated end portion for progressively covering saidapertures.
 3. Lawn sprinkler apparatus comprising: a base; a bodycarried by the base and including a passageway, for connecting the baseto a fluid supply, and a tubular conduit extending generally upward fromthe base to an obliquely truncated termination; a cap means covering thetruncated termination of the tubular conduit and including a row ofapertures that are progressively covered or uncovered by axial movementof the cap means toward or away from the base means.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the tubular conduit and cap means have engaging threadedportions to enable axial movement of the cap means such that thetruncated termination of the tubular conduit progressively covers oruncovers said apertures.
 5. Sprinkler apparatus comprising: a base; abody carried by the base and including a fluid passageway thatterminates in an obliquely truncated right circular cylinder; a capmeans covering the truncated termination of the right circular cylinderand including means that are successively covered or uncovered byprogressive movement of the cap means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the tubular conduit and cap means having engaging threadedportions to enable axial movement of the cap means such that thetruncated termination of the tubular conduit progressively covers oruncovers said apertures.
 7. Sprinkler apparatus comprising: a base; saidbase including a coupler for connection with a fluid supply; a conduitextending upwardly from the base for the passage of fluid; means carriedby the conduit for progressive and selected axial movement thereon; arow of apertures formed in a selected one of the conduits and saidmeans; obliquely truncated cut-off means associated with the other ofthe selected conduit and means to open or progressively close theapertures of said row.
 8. Sprinkler apparatus comprising: a base; saidbase including a coupler for connection with a fluid supply; a tubularconDuit extending upwardly from the base and coupler, and terminatingwith an obliquely truncated end; a cap means having walls secured to theexterior of the tubular conduit by threads; a circumferential row ofapertures extending through the walls of the cap means whereby movementof the cap means on said threads progressively covers or uncovers withthe truncated end of the conduit the apertures of said row.
 9. Sprinklerapparatus comprising: a base; said base including a coupler forconnection with a fluid supply; a tubular conduit extending upwardlyfrom the base and said coupler; a circumferential row of apertures and arow of threads formed on said conduit; a threaded cap means secured tothe threads of the tubular conduit, and having an obliquely truncatedend to progressively cover or uncover the apertures of said row. 10.Sprinkler apparatus comprising: a base; said base including a couplerfor connection with a fluid supply; a tubular conduit extending upwardlyfrom the base and coupler, terminating with an obliquely truncated end,and including a circumferential row of radial apertures; a cap meanshaving walls secured to the exterior of the tubular conduit by threads;a threaded cap means secured to the threads of the tubular conduit; aplug having one end adapted to engage the cap means and the othertruncated to progressively cover and uncover the apertures of said rowresponsive to movement of the cap means on said threads.